To a solution of methyl 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoate (0.25 g, 1.39 mmol), [3-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)phenyl]methanol (0.41 g, 1.81 mmol) and triphenylphosphine (0.47 g, 1.81 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (5 mL) was added dropwise diethyl azodicarboxylate toluene solution (40%, 0.82 mL) with stirring at 0° C., and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hrs. The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (hexane-hexane/ethyl acetate=4/1) to give the title compound (0.27 g, yield 50%) as a yellow oil.
